Invisible Costs, Visible Consequences: Rethinking AI's future

Key takeaways: Best practices for adopting AI responsibly Understanding the societal and environmental implications of AI solutions Exploring the energy demands and hidden costs of data centers driving the AI revolution Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of AI’s impact on both society and the environment Artificial intelligence promises efficiency, productivity, and progress — but behind the glossy headlines lies a story of mounting trade-offs.

This talk exposes the hidden costs of AI, from data centers consuming the water of nations and energy rivaling entire countries, to the societal risks of cognitive offloading and eroded human connection. While AI can help build smarter grids, greener supply chains, and stronger communities, it also threatens to deepen inequality, accelerate climate strain, and hollow out critical thinking. By looking at both the good and the ugly, this presentation challenges us to ask: can we build intelligence that truly sustains both people and planet?